Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Aspen was utterly stunned. Yara-Quinton's own sister-had come to Andrew with a proposal to kill him.

She actually wanted her brother dead?

Andrew, however, did not look the least bit surprised. Instead, he chuckled. "Mind telling me why you'd want to partner with me—someone your Wright family considers an enemy? Shouldn't you be here trying to settle a score?"

Yara shook her head. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend. You're a smart man, Mr. Lloyd. I know you understand exactly what I mean."noveldrama

Andrew gave a nod. "So what you're really saying is-you and Quinton are enemies."

Yara's eyes turned icy cold. "Like I said, Quinton is my half-brother. But if I had it my way, he'd be dead and buried without a trace."

Aspen, clearly uncomfortable, finally couldn't help but ask, "Ms. Wright... do you mind if I ask why you hate your brother so much?"

Yara's tone stayed flat. "Sorry, that's personal. Not something I care to share."

She turned back to Andrew. "So, Mr. Lloyd, yes or no? Give me a straight answer."

Andrew smirked. "Sure, here's my answer-no."

Yara froze, clearly caught off guard. "I came here offering to help you take down

Quinton. And you, are actually turning me down?"

Andrew let out a cold snort.

out a

"Quinton? In my eyes, he's nothing more than a clown. If I really wanted to crush him, it wouldn't even take effort And you-coming here out of nowhere, offering a partnership without any clear motive? Please. You think I'd trust someone I can't even tell is friend or foe?"

The disdain creeping across Andrew's face made Yara's expression darken. She snapped back, stunned. "Mr. Lloyd, surely you know your own limits. What gives you the confidence to dismiss Quinton like he's nothing? You do realize he's the most curning and dangerous contender to take over the Wright family, don't you?"

Andrew gave her a sidelong glance. "And? So what if he does take control of the Wrights? Does that mean I'm supposed to be scared of him?"

Yara was so infuriated she laughed. "Everyone always said you were arrogant, Mr. Lloyd. Meeting you today proves it. The Wrights are one of the Five Apex Families—we have networks, power, and wealth that you couldn't even begin to comprehend!

"Most importantly, we have martial kings in our ranks-top-tier fighters that could erase entire organizations! Tell me, where the hell does your confidence come from? How dare you speak like that?"

Aspen did not get it either. To her, this was a golden opportunity-Yara had basically handed Andrew an inroad straight into the Wright family. If Quinton made

a move, Andrew could easily use Yara to strike back from within.

It was a chance handed to him on a silver platter-why not take it?

However, Andrew's voice was as cold as ever. "First of all, the Wright family might be impressive, but in my eyes? You're nothing special. Second, I have no idea what your real motive is in coming to me with this offer to go after Quinton.

"For all I know, you're just a pawn he sent to bait me into a trap. And finally..."

Andrew paused, his eyes narrowing as he looked Yara dead in the eye. Then, he smirked.

"Even if everything you just said is true... Why the hell should I agree to partner with you? You know exactly what Supreme Capital is capable of. So tell me, Ms. Wright-what exactly do you bring to the table that makes you qualified to negotiate with me?"